The Democrats Skipping Benjamin Netanyahu's Speech Are Firmly Behind The President

Following House Speaker John Boehner's arrangement for Netanyahu to speak before Congress in March — an invitation extended to the Israeli leader without the White House's consultation — Netanyahu has faced a swift backlash of criticism for what many have called an affront to the Obama administration. Now, three House Democrats said they will skip Netanyahu's speech to Congress in March, in a show of stern disapproval over the diplomatic slight.

The three House lawmakers, Representatives John Lewis, G.K. Butterfield and Earl Blumenauer, said they would not attend Netanyahu's March 3 speech intended to warn Congress of the dangers of the proposed Iran deal. Butterfield had choice words for Boehner, saying in an interview that the Speaker had demonstrated,

[U]nprecedented overreach. I refuse to be a part of a political stunt aimed at undercutting President Obama.

Netanyahu is finding this visit to be extraordinarily controversial within his own country. To schedule the joint session immediately before a national election is a dangerous and reckless precedent. I will not dignify this irresponsible joint session — an affront to diplomacy, process, and security — with my presence.

Netanyahu is facing what could prove to be a significant headache in the next two years of his relationship with the White House, should he secure the highest political position in Israel for another term. Although he has insisted that his visit has no undertones of playing on partisan politics in the U.S., many have seen it as just that, in both an attempt to gain political traction back home as well as to win over Congress on Iran. But it seems the latter has backfired already — 10 Senate Democrats, angered by Boehner and Netanyahu's scheming, have parted with Republicans on imposing more Iran sanctions, granting Obama a sought-after reprieve to complete negotiations with the Middle Eastern country.